Danbury's Winters turns
heads on and off the field

But with a combination of talent, determination and humility, the Danbury wide receiver does indeed shine brighter than the rest.

"Damian is the type of kid who will do anything you ask of him," Danbury coach Dan Donovan said. "He's ultra competitive and works hard at everything he does."

It's that competitive drive that caused Winters to spend almost all of his summer in Bristol, working out at the Parisi Speed Center.

"It's was incredible," said Winters. "They really push you. When you think you can't go any further, they tell you get back on the line and go again."

Winters, however, rarely had to be told to do more.

If anything, the trainers at Parisi had to do whatever they could to kick him out.

The Danbury senior, co-captain and school president did four sessions a day at Parisi, more than any other athlete that's worked there, according to Winters.

"I basically had a sleeping bag there," Winters said. "I was really motivated to change my body and my game this offseason."

During his sessions, Winters would spend time pushing 300 pounds tires and doing drills to increase his strength and quickness.

The work seems to have paid off as the 6-0 Winters returned to Danbury chiseled and well above the 170 pounds he was listed at last year.

"He's really reshaped his body," Donovan said. "He knows how hard he's got to work to get to where he wants to be."

Winters hopes to play in college and has been asked to send game film to a handful of Big East schools including Louisville, Rutgers and UConn.

He's also received interest from Division I Wagner, Fordham and Central Connecticut State.

"I want to play at the next level," Winters said. "But I know to do that, I'm going to have to earn it."

Winters produced solid numbers in Danbury's largely run-first offense under the recently retired Rick Davis. As junior, Winters led the team with 40 receptions for 500 yards. He also found the end zone five times.

"He's a great safety value," Danbury quarterback Ian Ratchford said. "We've got a great group of receivers, but it's always nice to know if I'm in trouble I've got Damian out there."

And in 2009, Donovan plans to see Winters' numbers take a dramatic jump.

Not only has Winters improved considerably, but Donovan, who was also recently named the Danbury athletic director, will be implementing a new "Florida-style" spread offense.

Its intent will be to get Winters and the Hatters' other playmakers the ball in space and let their speed take over.

"Damian has the ability to have a big year," Donovan said. "He's going to create a lot of headaches for teams."

But both Donovan and Winters know where the Hatters' receiver needs to improve.

Winters' admits his route running, and ability to read defenses is lacking.

Donovan, meanwhile, feels Winters must be ready to adjust to the double teams he is sure to face.

"He's going to have to fight through two and three guys and still get open," Donovan said. "He's going to have to battle for everything."

Working hard, however, is something Winters never shies away from.

Rather he embraces it.

In addition to the fights he faces on the football field, Winters also battles for the entire Danbury student body as school president.

"I know what I want this school to be and I figured rather than ask someone else to do it, I'd do it myself," Winters said of his reason for running for president. "I want to really revive the school spirit here and bridge the gap between certain cliques."

If anyone can it's Winters, who also spends time volunteering at the Dorothy Day Center and has helped out with the Danbury Trojans youth football teams.

"He's a great kid," Donovan said. "He's the type of person who wants to make an impact not just on the football field, but in life."